UPSC Prelims 2020 · Question 1 of 100
UPSC Prelims 2020 question on Carbon Nanotubes
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2020
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectScience and Technology
- TopicNanoscience and Nanotechnology
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements:
1. They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.
2. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of human body.
3. They can be used in biochemical sensors.
4. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Verdict
Correct statements: 1, 2, 3 and 4 → Option (d).
Statement by statement
Statement 1 – CORRECT: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can penetrate through cell membranes, capillaries, and accumulate in cells and tissues. Enabling technology would facilitate the making of nanodevices using blood-compatible nanomaterials as building blocks for biomedical applications including drug delivery matrixes. Hence statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2 – CORRECT: CNTs can be used as building blocks for biomedical applications such as artificial implants, including structural tissue replacements, i.e., artificial blood vessels. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Statement 3 – CORRECT: NASA has demonstrated the use of carbon nanotube arrays as biosensors. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Statement 4 – CORRECT: Carbon nanotubes were once considered resistant to biodegradation, but enzymes like peroxidase were found to play an important role in the biodegradation of CNTs. Hence statement 4 is correct.
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